Month: July 2022

A decade ago, hemp farming in the United States remained restricted to a few government-sanctioned facilities sprinkled across the nation. Hemp was still considered largely synonymous with marijuana, and domestic cultivation was tightly controlled.

Then, the 2014 Farm Bill began the process of redefining hemp — a process that reached some degree of conclusion with the bill’s 2018 update. Following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, it became legal to grow hemp anywhere in the United States as long as state and local governments approved.

Almost overnight, hemp cultivation swelled to claim unprecedented tracts of farmland. As a “cash crop,” hemp became farmers’ flavor of the week, and the industry has evolved significantly due to this sudden glut of investment.

At the time the 2018 Farm Bill passed, it was still a relatively new thing to grow hemp containing high concentrations of CBD and low concentrations of THC. By 2020, however, farmers had already mastered CBD production and were starting to branch out into cultivars bearing alternative cannabinoids like CBG and CBN.

Which cannabinoids are American farmers growing, and what does the share of farmland each cannabinoid takes up mean for the future of the hemp industry? Find the answers in this analysis of a recent Hemp Industry Daily farmer survey.

Brief history of American hemp agriculture

Hemp is one of America’s oldest crops¹. It was a major focus of textile production in the New World until the cotton gin was invented, which made cotton cultivation considerably more profitable.

Americans took up hemp production again as they spread across the North American continent, this time just as much for its resins as its fibers. While cannabis tinctures and similar products were popular in drug stores up until the 1930s, campaigns emerged in that era to prohibit cannabis production for ultimately unjust reasons.

Opportunities created by the 2018 Farm Bill

Cannabis and hemp production remained largely at a standstill until the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. While some CBD companies had been in operation for a few years already by this point, this landmark piece of legislation opened up the floodgates of the American CBD industry by legitimizing hemp cultivation on US soil for the first time in nearly a century.

The Hemp boom and market stabilization

Immediately following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, a significant portion of American farmers switched their fields to hemp². Primarily cultivators of conventional crops, these farmers were willing to overlook their stigma against cannabis in light of the lucrative going rate of hemp-per-pound.

As simple economics dictates, this massive surge in hemp production led to market oversaturation that is still sorting itself out. Cultivating hemp can still be lucrative, but it isn’t the cash cow it used to be. Hemp farmers have had to get smarter, and one way they’ve done so is by expanding into cannabinoids other than CBD.

Leading cannabinoids cultivated in 2020

Unsurprisingly, CBD remained the primary cannabinoid cultivated among hemp farmers surveyed for a 2021 Hemp Industry Daily report³. A surprising number of American farmers, however, indicated that they had also started cultivating CBG and CBN. Let’s take a look at the details to get a better grasp of the current status of hemp agriculture in the United States:

1. CBD

How much hemp is grown for CBD?

According to Hemp Industry Daily’s 2021 survey, 80% of hemp farmers in the United States indicated that they had cultivated CBD-rich hemp crops during the 2020 growing season. As we’ll see, many of them also cultivated hemp containing other cannabinoids, but just as many American farmers seem to be sticking solely to CBD for the time being.

Is the share of hemp containing CBD up or down?

As recently as 2019, 96% of American hemp farmers grew CBD-rich cultivars of Cannabis sativa. The following year, however, only four out of five hemp cultivators reported growing CBD-rich hemp exclusively, indicating that 16% of farmers dropped CBD during that period and are now focused solely on other cannabinoids.

Hemp-derived CBD production projections

Even industry experts weren’t prepared for the hemp market’s rapid diversification into other cannabinoids. It seems we have the makings of a truly multi-cannabinoid hemp market in which demand for non-CBD hemp cannabinoids is nearing the current demand for CBD. There are other factors to consider, though.

2. CBG

How much hemp is grown for CBG?

In 2020, nearly half of American hemp farmers indicated that they had grown at least some CBG-rich plants. Forty-three percent of the respondents to Hemp Industry Daily’s survey reported producing cannabigerol (CBG), lending this minor cannabinoid a degree of unprecedented legitimacy and swelling the supply of CBG on the market.

Is the share of hemp containing CBG up or down?

Leaping from 19% to 43% in just a year, the number of American farmers growing CBG-rich hemp more than doubled between 2019 and 2020. It’s fair to say that 2020 marked the year CBG exploded onto the US hemp scene.

Hemp-derived CBG production projections

The massive uptick in domestic CBG production isn’t just due to increased demand for this CBD-alternative cannabinoid. The CBD market has been in a state of oversaturation for years, and some hemp farmers have jumped to CBG simply in the hopes that they’ll be able to sell their crops. As long as CBG production remains at least somewhat tethered to genuine organic demand, the share of hemp farmers producing CBG should continue to grow — albeit considerably more slowly.

3. CBN

How much hemp is grown for CBN?

While nowhere near as popular as CBD or CBG, hemp farmers are starting to pick up on the increased consumer interest in cannabidiol (CBN), a derivative of THC that is much more similar to CBD in terms of effects. According to the Hemp Industry Daily survey, 12% of American hemp farmers now cultivate Cannabis sativa specifically for its CBN content.

Is the share of hemp containing CBN up or down?

The number of US hemp farmers growing CBN increased slightly between 2019 and 2020 from 10% to 12%. While it’s safe to say CBN is certainly catching on, demand for this hemp cannabinoid has not yet erupted in the same way it has for CBD or CBG, although it is expected to in the near future.

Hemp-derived CBN production projections

Vying for space with two already well-established cannabinoids, it’s understandable why CBN hasn’t quite caught the public interest as significantly as of yet. An increasing number of hemp products, however, are starting to include a medley of different cannabinoids, taking the pressure off CBN-only products to provide the demand necessary to stimulate production of CBN-rich hemp.

Summary of key points

• CBD (80%) continues to take up the greatest share of American hemp production by far
• CBG (43%), however, is rapidly catching up as farmers seek to diversify
• CBN (12%) remains a niche cannabinoid that is gradually garnering interest

The future of American hemp production

American hemp production isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The overall trajectory of hemp and cannabis in the United States is on the up and up. While slower to take hold than many would like, cannabis reform is spreading across the nation state by state, putting ever-increasing pressure on the federal government to revise its stance on cannabis regulation.

The FDA has made some progress in its efforts to properly regulate CBD. Convening its scientific advisory board in June of 2022⁴ to discuss the regulation of CBD in food products, this federal agency signaled that efforts to fully legitimize the hemp economy remain underway.

Demand for CBD and other hemp cannabinoids is not expected to slow down anytime soon, all-but ensuring the steady, continued growth of the American hemp cultivation industry. Expect to see US hemp farmers diversify even further into alternative non-CBD cannabinoids.

Which other cannabinoids might come to the fore?

We’ve hardly scratched the surface of cultivating cannabinoids. There are variants of familiar cannabinoids like CBDv and CBGv that have hardly been explored, and other hemp cannabinoids — like cannabichromene (CBC) — still aren’t available in hemp flower in high concentrations even though they certainly will be someday.

By 2025, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a domestic hemp market that produces large quantities of 6-8 different cannabinoids every year. CBD was the foot in the door, but there are so many more cannabinoids to explore.

The bottom line: Which cannabinoids does today’s hemp contain?

Given the massive impact it’s had on so many lives, it can sometimes seem like CBD has been around forever. The reality, though, is that the domestic hemp market was only recently resurrected from its regulatory tomb, and it will need some time to fully regulate.

Even once hemp becomes a fully legitimate part of the American agricultural economy once again, the market will continue to evolve. While hemp is certainly useful for fiber, it’s mostly produced for cannabinoids now, and the number of different cannabinoids derivable from hemp will only continue to grow.

Right now, hemp farmers might be almost exclusively focused on CBD, CBG, and CBN. However, new cannabinoids can break into the market at any time, making it prudent for operators in the hemp economy to always be on the lookout for new opportunities.

Cannabinoid farming FAQs

Learn more about the types of cannabinoids the US hemp farming industry is focusing on:

1. What are the main cannabinoids in industrial hemp?

The three main cannabinoids currently produced in industrial hemp in the United States are cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN). The third, cannabinol, is a derivative of THC and is therefore produced in a slightly different process.

Both CBD and CBG, however, have been bred to be in high concentrations in certain strains of hemp. These cannabinoids are, in almost every case, entirely naturally derived since that is simply the most efficient and inexpensive way to proceed. There is now a considerable market for both CBD and CBG, paving the way for the future popularity of additional hemp cannabinoids.

2. What percentage of cannabinoids are in hemp?

The percentage of cannabinoids present in hemp ranges from around 5-30%. Some strains have been bred that push the 30% limit, but past that point, cannabis flower starts looking more like a crystal than a plant.

The lowest grade of industrial hemp available contains less than 5% cannabinoids, and this type of hemp is only useful for fiber or extraction purposes. The highest-grade and highest-potency hemp flower, on the other hand, is suitable for smoking and is often sold as an artisanal product.

3. Is 30% cannabinoids a lot?

Yes, if hemp or cannabis flower contains 30% cannabinoids, that is definitely a lot. Regardless of the strain cultivated, cannabinoid percentages nearing 30% are simply not achievable without the best indoor cultivation equipment that money can buy.

Cannabis is a simultaneously simple and fickle plant that must be pampered to reach maximum cannabinoid expression. Resultantly, outdoor-grown buds simply cannot reach 30% potency.

4. Which strain has the highest terpenes?

There is no one particular cannabis or hemp strain that will always have higher terpene expression than others. The level of terpene expression achieved in a cannabis strain is mainly dependent, rather, on how it is grown. Terpene expressivity, of course, varies between phenotypes, but not to such a great degree that any specific strain can be singled out as being inherently terpene-rich.

Sources

1. 1. History Of Hemp In The US | Hemp History. (2021, March 25). Ministry of Hemp. https://ministryofhemp.com/hemp/history/
2. 2. The Hemp Boom is Over. What Now? (2021, July 9). The Pew Charitable Trusts. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/07/09/the-hemp-boom-is-over-what-now
3. 3. Staff, H. I. D. (2021, March 3). Despite buzz around delta-8 THC, cannabinoid cultivation dominated by CBD, CBG. Hemp Industry Daily. https://hempindustrydaily.com/chart-despite-buzz-around-delta-8-thc-cannabinoid-cultivation-dominated-by-cbd-cbg/
4. 4. Nichols, K. (2022, June 14). FDA takes another look at CBD, but insiders are skeptical much will change. MJBizDaily. https://mjbizdaily.com/fda-takes-another-look-at-cbd-but-insiders-are-skeptical-much-will-change/

The American CBD industry is in full swing. With more than 14% of Americans using CBD products¹ and the hemp market swelling to $24.5 billion per year², hemp has become a force to be reckoned with.

A disproportionate number of CBD sales occur online, however, with far fewer Americans buying this cannabinoid from brick-and-mortar retailers. What’s the basis behind this trend, and what does it mean for CBD brands that want to succeed in today’s rapidly shifting environment?

In this guide, we’ll use the latest data to explain why US consumers choose to buy CBD online and lay out a path to success for operators in the American hemp space. Discover the factors driving online hemp sales and what they mean for the future of the CBD market.

Current status of the US CBD market

American CBD remains largely in the same strange place that the 2018 Farm Bill left it. This landmark piece of hemp legislation firmly separated CBD from THC and put the cannabinoid in the FDA’s court. Citing long-standing industry precedent and a continuing lack of clinical safety information, though, the FDA has been reluctant to fully legitimize CBD sales in the United States.

In 2017, the FDA approved Epidiolex as a prescription drug. Once the FDA has approved a substance as a prescription drug, it doesn’t generally approve the same substance for over-the-counter use. While Epidiolex generates a genuine conflict for the FDA, it’s also possible the federal agency is dragging its heels in anticipation of the improved clarity that would accompany successful federal cannabis reform legislation.

What do US consumers use CBD for?

American consumers don’t seem to be particularly perturbed by the FDA’s lack of comprehensive CBD guidance. They continue to use this non-intoxicating cannabinoid in record numbers, and they’re increasingly turning to CBD for help with issues aside from pain and inflammation.

A 2019 Quartz survey⁴, for instance, found that 55% of Americans who had used CBD had tried it for general relaxation, and a further 50% had used it for stress or anxiety. Forty-five percent of US CBD consumers had used the cannabinoid for sleep with only 39% relying on it for pain.

This information clearly indicates that CBD is reaching a much wider audience than before. Average Americans — not just those suffering from pain — are discovering the many ways CBD can benefit their lives, driving sales of this cannabinoid ever higher.

Where do American consumers buy CBD?

A 2021 Nielsen survey⁵ shed light on American CBD buying behavior by showing where US consumers are now purchasing their hemp products. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of American hemp users buy CBD online, an existing trend that the pandemic significantly exacerbated.

Why do so many Americans buy CBD on the internet, and where else do they buy this cannabinoid? Let’s take a look:

1. Online

How many Americans buy CBD online?

According to the Nielsen survey, 66% of Americans now buy CBD online. The internet has always been the primary marketplace for hemp products, but 2/3 of hemp sales being conducted online is an unprecedented portion.

Why do Americans buy CBD online?

As with all other types of products, buying CBD online is easy and convenient. Some states still have laws restricting sales of certain kinds of CBD products, often making the type of CBD consumers want only available online.

During the pandemic, many of the smaller stores that traditionally carried CBD shut down or vastly curtailed their business activities. As a result, many consumers who had previously preferred to buy CBD in person were forced to start purchasing products online. Now, many of them haven’t elected to go back.

The Future of US Online CBD sales

Expect online CBD sales to take up an ever-greater share of the market over the coming years. Buying products online only gets easier as time goes by, and as more consumers enter the hemp market, their overall predisposition towards Ecommerce will skew CBD sales even further toward online channels. Barring some massive disruption of domestic shipping services, CBD sales are highly likely to continue to gravitate toward online ecosystems.

2. Specialty stores

How many Americans buy CBD at specialty stores?

Since the early days of CBD, Americans have relied on specialty stores like natural food stores and vape shops to supply their favorite hemp products. As of 2021, 29-31% of them still did, with shares of brick-and-mortar CBD sales recovering somewhat from 2020’s lows.

Why do Americans buy CBD at specialty stores?

With around a third of American CBD consumers still buying CBD from their favorite local mom-and-pop shops, it’s clear there’s something about the sales model that’s working. Familiarity with store staff and the benefits of one-on-one product selection assistance outweigh the convenience of buying CBD products online for some consumers, and others simply appreciate the convenience of being able to buy CBD during their normal trips to the store.

The future of US specialty store CBD sales

No matter how successful Ecommerce may become, the local economy isn’t simply going to disappear. Natural food stores, vape stores, smoke shops, boutiques, and other CBD-carrying retailers will continue to exist, and their owners will continue to capitalize on CBD’s enduring popularity. The share of US consumers who buy their CBD in-person, however, is almost sure to drop at least somewhat over the coming years.

3. Chain stores

How many Americans buy CBD at chain stores?

Over the last five years or so, major grocery store chains (most notably Kroger⁶) have given the green light to regional buyers who want to onboard CBD products. Despite corporate America’s attempts to mainstream CBD, however, only 3-5% of CBD consumers choose to buy their hemp products from major consumer packaged goods (CPG) stores.

Why do Americans buy CBD at chain stores?

No matter how much you might love CBD, this cannabinoid isn’t what you’re expecting to see on the shelves of your local conventional grocery store. The slow growth of the share of CBD sales occurring in CPG retail environments is due somewhat to the overall newness of the phenomenon but also to a lack of education among both store employees and customers regarding the benefits of CBD.

American CBD consumers often go to specialty stores in search of particular hemp products, and mainstream CPG retailers — which generally only stock a few CBD SKUs — can’t possibly carry every brand consumers seek. Often turned away by the lack of product variety carried in major chains, this hemp sales channel has yet to truly take flight.

Key takeaways

Let’s summarize all this information in a few bullet points:

• 66% of Americans buy CBD online, 29-31% buy it from specialty stores, and 3-5% buy it from major CPG retailers
• Online CBD sales strengthened during the pandemic and show no signs of slowing down
• Many American CBD users also still buy from their local mom-and-pop shops
• Far fewer have migrated to buying CBD from CPG retailers
• Going forward, online sales are likely to increase at a rapid pace
• CPG CBD sales will also probably grow, but more slowly
• Specialty stores may slowly lose their share of the CBD market due to competition from CPG retailers

How to leverage American CBD buying habits

The obvious answer here is to sell CBD online. Two-thirds of American hemp consumers buy their CBD on the internet, giving you access to the largest share of the US market.

The bar-to-entry for online CBD sales can be high, however. With so many brands now jostling for space, CBD operators have to dance between product differentiation and pricing adjustments to stay distinct and attractive to consumers.

If you want to reach the largest segment of American CBD consumers and thereby set yourself with the most opportunities for profit and success, focusing largely on internet sales is the best approach. Leave yourself open to selling CBD in specialty stores, however, and always be on the lookout for opportunities to enter the nation’s slow-growing consumer packaged goods CBD market.

US retail CBD consumption FAQs

Learn more about CBD consumption in retail stores below:

1. Which major retailers sell CBD?

Some of the major retail chains that now sell CBD products include Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, and Wegmans. Not all retail chains have gotten on the bandwagon, however, with big box stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco notably staying clear.

Even if your ideal store doesn’t carry CBD, chances are that a nearby retailer does. In any case, the type of quality you can get with online CBD usually far outstrips anything you’ll find in a retail store.

2. Is there CBD at Walmart?

No, Walmart does not sell CBD products. There are a few listings on walmart.com that, at first glance, appear to be for products containing CBD.

It only takes a cursory look, however, to recognize that these products do not actually contain any CBD at all. If they did, they would immediately be flagged for removal by Walmart.

3. Are CBD products sold at CVS?

Yes, CVS is one of a number of drug store chains that have adopted the CBD revolution wholeheartedly. You can buy CBD products made by major, recognized brands at almost every CVS location.

Alongside CBD products made by brands that originally started on the internet are anonymous, generic products made by the drug store brand’s existing distributors. If shopping for CBD products at CVS, always go with brands that are also sold online and have a considerable national following.

4. Does Walgreens sell CBD?

Yes, CBD products are widely available at most Walgreens stores nationwide. Almost all the CBD products sold at Walgreens, however, are produced by the drug store company’s in-house manufacturers.

As another option, visit a natural food store for better CBD product quality. Whole Foods is an example of a national food co-op chain that sells CBD, and many local co-ops do as well.

Summary: US CBD sales channels are evolving

The pandemic changed many things — not the least consumer buying behavior. According to the United States Census Bureau⁷, online sales shot up 43% in 2020, exploding from $571.2 billion in 2019 to $815.4 billion in a single year.

And, like many pandemic-inspired changes, this unprecedented shift toward online sales doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Consumers are already buying more products online, so it simply makes sense to buy CBD online now too.

There will never come a point, however, when 100% of CBD sales occur online. As you pivot toward today’s internet-driven CBD economy, never forget to explore potentially lucrative opportunities for diversification offered by brick-and-mortar retail environments.

Sources

1. 1. Brenan, B. M. (2021, November 20). 14% of Americans Say They Use CBD Products. Gallup.Com. https://news.gallup.com/poll/263147/americans-say-cbd-products.aspx
2. 2. Gelsi, S. (2022, May 4). Legal cannabis sales exceed Starbucks N. America sales in 2021: Report. MarketWatch. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/legal-cannabis-sales-exceed-starbucks-n-america-sales-in-2021-report-2022-05-04
3. 3. Drotleff, L. (2022, June 2). Federal cannabis legalization may affect FDA’s approach to CBD regulation, experts say. Hemp Industry Daily. https://hempindustrydaily.com/federal-cannabis-legalization-may-affect-fdas-approach-to-cbd-regulation-experts-say/
4. 4. Kopf, D., & Avins, J. (2020, February 23). Survey shows Americans use CBD to treat anxiety and stress. Quartz. https://qz.com/1590765/survey-shows-americans-use-cbd-to-treat-anxiety-and-stress/
5. 5. Staff, H. I. D. (2021, March 15). Chart: Top CBD sales channels in 2020. Hemp Industry Daily. https://hempindustrydaily.com/chart-top-cbd-sales-channels/
6. 6. LaVito, A., & Hirsch, L. (2019, June 12). Kroger to sell CBD products in nearly 1,000 stores. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/11/kroger-to-sell-cbd-products-in-nearly-1000-stores.html
7. 7. U.S. Census Bureau. (2022, April 26). Annual Retail Trade Survey Shows Impact of Online Shopping on Retail Sales During COVID-19 Pandemic. Census.Gov. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/04/ecommerce-sales-surged-during-pandemic.html

With the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently releasing a finalized list of CBD products currently in the approval process¹, the people of Great Britain are well on their way toward access to safe, government-regulated, CBD products. Brits have been enjoying CBD for quite a few years now, however, and their usage habits can tell us a lot about how to successfully market CBD and other hemp cannabinoids to British audiences.

How many citizens of Great Britain use CBD, and for what reasons? Find the answers in this guide, backed by results from a recent YouGov survey conducted in Great Britain.

What is CBD used for?

Around the world, CBD is used for relaxation, anxiety, sleep, epilepsy, and plenty of other purposes. People often rely on CBD for help with inflammation, which shows itself in a myriad of different medical conditions. 

What are the benefits of CBD?

Most people who use CBD report that this cannabinoid provides them with a light feeling of relaxation that may help them manage pain and anxiety more effectively. Research into the usefulness of CBD for various conditions is ongoing, and both scientists and consumers appreciate this cannabinoid’s negligible side effect profile².

In the UK, CBD is easy to buy online or in various brick-and-mortar shops. Since it doesn’t get you high, CBD won’t interfere with daily activities, and it doesn’t appear to have any addictive potential. In short, CBD seems to help, and it doesn’t appear to hurt.

Is CBD legal in the UK?

In the UK, CBD products are generally not considered to be the illegal drug marijuana as long as they contain less than 0.2% THC³ and have gone through the UK government’s stringent hemp production or import procedures. The FSA has recently taken measures to bring a list of CBD products further into the mainstream, indicating the UK’s eventual intent to fully legitimize the production and sale of CBD products.

How many people use CBD in Great Britain?

In 2019, the British market research company YouGov conducted a survey to determine how many people use CBD in Great Britain and what they use it for. At this time, only 9% of Brits polled recalled using CBD while 6% weren’t sure if they had or had not. The overwhelming majority (85%) had not used CBD yet, but some indicated they might use it in the future.

How many Brits would consider trying CBD?

Out of the YouGov survey participants who had not yet used CBD, 28% indicated that they were open to trying the cannabinoid. 53% of Brits surveyed would try hemp either immediately or with a little bit of time. 47% of those surveyed indicated that they had no interest in trying it while 25% weren’t sure. 

What types of CBD products do Brits use?

Unsurprisingly, 58% of Brits who had used CBD had tried tinctures, the most popular type of CBD product worldwide. Twenty-one percent had tried CBD vapes while 11% had used the cannabinoid topically. A further 10% had tried tablets or capsules with both CBD edibles and drinks also sitting at 10%. British men (28%) were twice as likely to have tried CBD vapes than women (14%), and CBD oils were most popular among the oldest Brits (74%) while vapes were the most popular among the youngest (51%).

Why do people in Great Britain use CBD?

Brits primarily use CBD for medicinal reasons. Out of the 1,650 respondents polled, 61% indicated that they had used CBD as an aid for some type of disease or condition while only 37% said they hadn’t used the cannabinoid for medical purposes. A further 1% didn’t know exactly why they had used CBD. Somewhat surprisingly, use of CBD for medical reasons was lowest among the oldest respondents (54%) and highest among the youngest (68%).

For which medical reasons do Brits use CBD?

It’s established that more residents of Great Britain use CBD for medical reasons than those who don’t, but what specific medicinal purposes do they use CBD for? This is the most important question as we unravel why Brits use CBD — let’s explore each major medical application for which British citizens have started relying on hemp:

1. Do British people use CBD for pain?

Yes, residents of Great Britain primarily use CBD for pain when they’re using this cannabinoid for medical purposes. Using CBD for pain is slightly more common among British women (75%) than it is for British men (68%), but at 71% overall, far more people in Britain use CBD for pain than use this cannabinoid for anything else. 

2. Do British people use CBD for anxiety and depression?

The next most popular medical purposes for CBD in Britain are anxiety and depression. Thirty-eight percent of Brits who turned to CBD for medical purposes sought help for these conditions with use of CBD for depression much more common among younger (50%) than older (15%) British citizens.

3. Do British people use CBD for sleep?

Using CBD for sleep is a practice shared by Brits of all ages (24%), but it’s most common in citizens of Great Britain between 25 and 49 years of age (30%). Both among younger (18-24) and older (50-64) adults, using CBD for sleep stands steady at 19%.

4. Do British people use CBD for arthritis?

It seems using CBD for arthritis hasn’t quite caught on yet in the UK — only 10% of Brits who use CBD rely on it for this painful inflammatory condition. The oldest British people (65+: 8%) remain unaware of the potential benefits of CBD for arthritis as the youngest (18-24 & 25-49: 7%). However, adults (50-64) are both most at risk of arthritis and most informed about hemp use it considerably more for this condition, 22% say they use CBD for arthritis.

5. Do British people use CBD for other reasons?

None of the Brits surveyed reported using CBD for chemotherapy-related purposes. Eight percent, though, did indicate that they had used CBD for a purpose other than those listed above. Using CBD for unconventional purposes was most common among the oldest respondents (17%), and it was least common among the youngest (6%).

How to market CBD to a British audience

Just learning why British people use CBD isn’t enough to know how to effectively market CBD products in Great Britain. While this country is historically pro-hemp, there are certain prevailing factors that make it distinct from the North American hemp markets. Let’s explore:

Understand market conditions

The UK allows CBD to be sold, but it doesn’t do so lightly. If you’re based in the UK, you have to grow and process your hemp exactly how the UK government dictates. If you want to import CBD from another country, it has to go through an extensive customs process. That’s why it’s usually better to work with an established producer that has already opened up access to the UK market.

Assess regional interest

It should come as no surprise that Brits living in London are more likely than average to have tried CBD (10%) or be willing to try it (30%). Citizens in more rural areas aren’t as willing to give hemp a shot yet, but don’t count Scotsmen out of the running. While only 7% of Scottish respondents had used CBD in 2019, 30% were willing to try it — the same as Londoners. Focus your efforts on Brits and Scots living in major cities.

Leverage consumer sentiment

People in Great Britain like CBD, but they still aren’t quite sure about it. While we speak the same language, people in the UK have different traditions and sentiments than their American counterparts. City denizens are more than happy to try new things, but the same can’t be said for residents of the English countryside. Using CBD for pain is very popular in the UK, though, creating a potential opening for reaching older audiences.

Prepare for the future

Traditionally, the UK has looked to the US when determining its hemp and cannabis policy. With recent efforts by the FSA to expand its catalog of approved CBD products and tamp down on the nation’s gray market, however, it’s becoming clear that Britain is no longer waiting for America to clarify matters regarding CBD.

Expect the British government to continue mainstreaming CBD over the next few years. Brands will still need to operate within the UK’s strict regulatory framework, but with CBD becoming an accepted substance in Great Britain, expect hemp sales to soar.

Why Brits use CBD: The bottom line

In some ways, the current British CBD market looks a lot like the American CBD market of five years ago. There are two key similarities — consumers in both markets are largely ignorant regarding the full benefits of CBD, and they almost always use CBD for pain.

In Great Britain, CBD hasn’t yet caught on as the general relaxation aid it has become in the United States. With record numbers of Brits showing openness toward CBD, however, the time has come to expand awareness of the width and depth of this non-intoxicating cannabinoid’s potential.

The UK is unlikely to make any major moves regarding overall cannabis regulation before the US, but the recent massive expansion of the FSA’s list of CBD products under approval indicates that the British government might be getting tired of waiting. Start offering your CBD products in the UK now to secure your spot within the fastest-growing hemp market on the Eastern side of the Atlantic.

*Please note that CBD is currently not an FDA-approved over-the-counter treatment for any medical conditions.*

Great Britain CBD FAQs

1. What are the rules for CBD in the UK?

For consumers, CBD rules in the UK are very similar to laws in other countries where CBD is legal. Producers, however, must abide by the UK’s strict import laws, and they must also ensure that their products contain less than 0.2% THC — not 0.3%. Follow these simple rules, though, and selling CBD in the UK shouldn’t pose many inherent challenges.

2. Is CBD a controlled substance in the UK?

No, CBD itself is not a controlled substance in the UK, but CBD may be considered a controlled substance when it is present in cannabis flower or other products containing more than 0.2% THC. Like the USA, the UK maintains the position that THC is an illegal drug. Contact the UK Home Office with any further inquiries.

3. Is smoking CBD illegal in the UK?

The legal status of smoking CBD flower is not clear in the UK, making it important to exercise an overabundance of caution. We would directly recommend that no one smoke CBD flower in the UK until the government has issued further clarification.

4. How many people take CBD in the UK?

According to the UK-based Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, over 6 million residents of the United Kingdom have now used CBD, marking an unprecedented level of popularity. CBD is only expected to get more popular in the UK and elsewhere around the world over the coming decades, making now the ideal time to start spreading access to CBD throughout the United Kingdom’s diverse population.

Sources

1. 1. CBD products linked to novel food applications. (2022). FSA. https://data.food.gov.uk/cbd-products/products-list
2. 2. Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2(1), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034
3. 3. Consumer cannabidiol (CBD) products report (accessible version). (2021, December 17). GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/acmd-advice-on-consumer-cannabidiol-cbd-products/consumer-cannabidiol-cbd-products-report-accessible-version
4. 4. Office of the Commissioner. (2020, July 31). FDA Approves New Indication for Drug Containing an Active Ingredient Derived from Cannabis to Treat Seizures in Rare Genetic Disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-drug-containing-active-ingredient-derived-cannabis-treat-seizures-rare

It might be off to a slightly slower start than its US equivalent, but the UK CBD industry is growing rapidly due to massive consumer interest. CBD appears to resonate better with certain age groups than it does with others, therefore hemp brands should identify clear messaging objectives to reach UK audiences. 

Comprising more than 67 million people, the UK hemp market is massive and still relatively untapped. In this guide, learn everything you need to know about demographic trends within the UK CBD industry, powered by results from a recent YouGov survey.

CBD in the UK: an overview

In the UK, CBD products are not considered marijuana as long as they contain less than 0.2% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC)¹. The UK government is relatively strict, however, regarding which types of CBD products may be produced, how they may be produced, and the types of hemp that can be used.

As a result, making CBD products in the UK or importing them into the country has traditionally been a hassle. Due to widespread public pushback², UK lawmakers have considered loosening the nation’s stance on hemp production, but no changes are expected in the near future.

UK residents generally do not have any issue acquiring or possessing CBD products. For entrepreneurs seeking to capitalize on the growing UK CBD market, however, making your way through all the red tape can be a hassle.

History of UK cannabis and hemp law

The UK has generally followed the United States’ lead with its stance toward cannabis. The UK’s 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act came hot on the heels of the 1970 Controlled Substances Act in the US, and both pieces of legislation placed cannabis in the worst-possible legal category.

There has been some time now, however, to reflect on these half-century-old facets of Western law, and in the United States at least, a much more permissive perspective toward cannabis has gradually taken hold nationwide. The UK, on the other hand, continues to make cannabis illegal for all but a select few.

CBD’s current status in the UK

With major names in UK law enforcement³ coming out in favor of outright cannabis decriminalization, it’s only a matter of time until significant changes come to the UK’s stance on CBD and other cannabinoids. Right now, however, CBD brands that want to offer products in the UK must abide by the nation’s strict hemp import and production policies. Failure to do so could result in your product being classified as cannabis, not hemp.

What does the data indicate?

A 2019 YouGov survey took a snapshot of current sentiment toward CBD in the UK. Altogether, 1,650 UK residents responded across all genders, age groups, and political affiliations. Positions toward cannabis may have changed in the interim, but this is the most recent information we have on how UK consumers feel about the effectiveness and safety of CBD.

Unsurprisingly, older UK residents are the most skeptical of CBD with younger adults being more willing to give hemp a shot. Traditional CBD oil tinctures remain the most popular products with most other product types only rarely used. The majority of UK residents who reported using CBD indicate that they used this cannabinoid for medical reasons. Let’s break down all this information in greater detail:

Which UK generation uses the most CBD?

Out of all UK adults surveyed, the age group that featured the greatest number of consumers who had used CBD was 25-49 at 11% closely followed by 18-24 at 10%. Only 8% of UK adults aged 50-64 had tried CBD in 2019, and this percentage dropped to 5% for adults aged 65+. In total, 9% of UK adults indicated that they had tried at least one kind of CBD product.

Which UK generation uses the least CBD?

In the UK, CBD is least-used among the oldest adults, coming in at 5% among individuals aged over 65. These results roughly reflect statistics from other countries. In the United States⁴, for instance, 8% of adults aged over 65 had used CBD compared to 11% of adults aged 50-64.

How does gender affect CBD consumption in the UK?

Women in the UK are slightly more likely (29%) to consider trying CBD than men (27%). Male UK CBD consumers are considerably more likely to have tried CBD vapes (28% v. 14%) while women are bigger fans of CBD tablets (14% v. 5%). Both are equally likely to use CBD for medical purposes, but women are more likely to use CBD for pain (75% v. 68%), and men are more likely to rely on this cannabinoid for anxiety or depression (41% v. 35%).

How does political affiliation affect CBD consumption in the UK?

Members of the Labor Party (14%) are far more likely to have used CBD than UK Conservatives (6%). Unsurprisingly, Labor supporters (32%) are more likely to express willingness to use CBD in the future compared to their Conservative counterparts (23%). Members of the Labor Party (77%) are more likely than Conservative UK residents (54%) to have used CBD for medicinal purposes.

Which CBD products are the most popular in the UK?

By far, CBD tinctures (also known as CBD oils) are the most popular type of CBD product used in the UK with more than 58% of survey respondents who had used CBD indicating that at least one of the hemp products they’d tried had been a tincture. Next up was CBD vape products at 21%, CBD topicals at 11%, and CBD capsules and tablets at 10%. Eight percent of survey respondents indicated that they had used CBD edibles, and 4% said they’d tried CBD cosmetics.

Do UK residents use CBD for medical reasons?

In the UK, CBD is more commonly used for medical reasons than it is not. Out of survey respondents who had used CBD, 61% indicated that they had tried this cannabinoid in the hopes that it would improve their medical status compared to 37% who said they’d used CBD for other reasons. Interestingly, using CBD for medicinal reasons was least common among the oldest respondents who’d tried the cannabinoid (54%), and it was the greatest among the youngest (68%).

Which medical reasons do UK residents use CBD for?

Seventy-one percent of UK residents who had used CBD for medical reasons indicated that they had turned to this cannabinoid specifically for help with the pain. Thirty-eight percent reported that they’d tried CBD for depression or anxiety, and 24% said they’d used CBD for sleep. Arthritis was the trigger for trying CBD for 10% of respondents, and 3% had given the cannabinoid a shot for epilepsy.

What it all means

How do we make sense of the current status of CBD receptivity and use in the UK, and how can one use all this information for marketing purposes? Let’s take a closer look at the UK CBD market before moving on to the present situation and how to market products that match the times.

UK CBD receptivity dynamics

Even though we share a common language and a common stance toward many social issues, there are still major points of disagreement between UK and US culture, and cannabis use is one of them. Typified by the culture of London and other major cities, rural parts of the UK remain dominated by conservative ideologies that are slow to accept changes that can appear threatening like cannabis use.

Even though it’s widely understood that CBD doesn’t get you high, it’s still associated with marijuana, leading to a reticence to try CBD among older UK residents. As population dynamics continue to favor city dwellers from diverse backgrounds, the UK will become more receptive to CBD and cannabis in general.

Current status of the UK hemp market

Interest in CBD and cannabis, in general, has only swelled since the 2019 YouGov survey was conducted. As time goes by, older UK residents who are either misinformed or uninformed regarding CBD will stop making buying decisions, and they’ll be replaced with a younger generation swelling with curiosity about hemp.

While it sometimes struggles to do so on time, the UK does its best to keep up with the USA’s mercurial changes to cannabis policy. UK lawmakers are likely waiting on the US to federally legalize cannabis before they make any major moves on the CBD front, meaning the somewhat stifling status quo will likely be maintained for the foreseeable future.

Best CBD products to sell in the UK

Based on all available data, CBD tinctures remain the best product type to rely on when marketing hemp to UK audiences. While satisfying UK regulations for CBD cosmetics and food products can sometimes be arduous, CBD tinctures are simple and accepted products that usually don’t have to overcome many hurdles on their way to the hands of UK consumers.

CBD vapes are quite popular among younger hemp consumers in the UK, but the country’s government has made no effort to hide its overall disdain for vaping with e-cigarette regulations seeming to tighten by the day⁵. Aside from tinctures, hemp brands seeking to reach UK markets may also want to invest in topicals, capsules, or drinks.

UK CBD consumption demographics FAQs

1. How popular is CBD in the UK?

CBD is catching on in the UK at a rapid pace. The UK has long been one of the world’s main primary exporters of cannabis for medical and research purposes, and the average citizen of Britain is now able to access nearly any CBD product with less than 0.2% THC they could imagine.

There’s still lots of room for expansion within the UK CBD industry, though. Per capita, CBD has not yet reached the same level of popularity as is observed in the US. Now’s the time to help the UK CBD industry expand with well-differentiated and high-quality products.

2. How many people use CBD products in the UK?

Estimates have it that 3-6 million UK citizens use CBD regularly, though many more have likely tried it at some point. That’s only 5-10% of the population, far below the percentage of Americans who are estimated to now be regular CBD users. We only make comparisons to the States to demonstrate the ample room for growth within the UK CBD market.

3. Is the CBD market saturated in the UK?

It is very difficult to determine how saturated the CBD market is anywhere in the world since CBD is a very new industry. If other, more mature CBD markets are taken into consideration, however, it’s very likely that the CBD market in the UK is nowhere near its saturation point.

There is still plenty of opportunity for operators in the UK to expand the domestic CBD industry. Keep in mind that the overall CBD market has evolved to be more skeptical and sophisticated, though, punishing companies that push low-quality products in the hope of making a quick profit.

4. What is the projected growth of CBD in the UK?

Some estimates have it that the UK CBD market will swell at a rate of approximately 30% per year between now and 2025, resulting in a £1bn market by the end of that period. Estimates like these, however, can only become a reality with the help of intrepid brands willing to win hearts and minds with genuinely high-quality and reliable product options.

Summary: The evolving state of UK CBD

Many parts of the world are still hostile to CBD and hemp, so it’s comforting to come across another bastion of free-minded cannabis policy like the UK. 

In the US, the early growth of the CBD industry was spurred by a “Wild West” attitude in which anyone could make a website and start selling CBD — sometimes without even a business license. There’s a very different environment in the UK. To sell your CBD products to UK citizens, you must either grow your hemp in the UK while following a remarkably strict set of rules or subject your imported products to an even stricter set of testing procedures.

The UK government clearly doesn’t want to make any mistakes as it allows the sale of CBD within its borders. 

The best way to counter the prevailing headwinds within the UK CBD industry is to work with a trusted hemp white labeler that has already set up operations within the European regulatory sphere. Having received approval from the UK government, a Europe-based hemp supplier can make products in-region and get them onto UK shelves with a fraction of the headache and considerably higher margins.

*Please note that CBD is currently not an FDA-approved over-the-counter treatment for any medical conditions.*

Sources

1. 1. Consumer cannabidiol (CBD) products report (accessible version). (2021, December 17). GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/acmd-advice-on-consumer-cannabidiol-cbd-products/consumer-cannabidiol-cbd-products-report-accessible-version
2. 2. Herrington, A. J. (2022, May 30). UK Hemp Activists Launch Civil Disobedience Campaign. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2022/05/27/uk-hemp-activists-launch-civil-disobedience-campaign/?sh=675dac206b25
3. 3. Arnold, M. (2022, June 21). British Chief Constable Supports Cannabis Decriminalization. High Times. https://hightimes.com/news/british-chief-constable-supports-cannabis-decriminalization/
4. 4. Brenan, B. M. (2021, November 20). 14% of Americans Say They Use CBD Products. Gallup.Com. https://news.gallup.com/poll/263147/americans-say-cbd-products.aspx
5. 5. E-cigarettes: regulations for consumer products. (2022, February 7). GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-cigarettes-regulations-for-consumer-products
6. 6. YouGov Survey Results (2019, August 30)

The US has served as the birthplace and remains the epicenter of the modern-day cannabis industry. Despite its northern neighbor, Canada, legalizing cannabis¹ outright, America still outsold the competition in 2021, selling $24.5 billion² in overall cannabis products compared to Canada’s $3.9 billion.

CBD has always composed an important component of the wider American cannabis market, and it will continue to do so despite ongoing regulatory stagnation. Some reports peg CBD as bringing in more than $5.3 billion in 2021³, contributing more than a fifth of the country’s overall cannabis revenue.

Why is CBD so popular? What is it about this simple, non-intoxicating compound that keeps driving up demand year after year? In this guide, learn what surveys can tell us about the top uses of CBD in the United States.

Benefits of CBD: an overview

As an essentially unregulated substance, producers and retailers cannot make any claims about the medicinal uses of CBD. Doing so would essentially assert that CBD is an approved drug, which is prohibited by the FDA.

By necessity, therefore, we have to learn about the most popular uses of CBD from consumer buying behavior instead of relying on scientifically proven benefits. While the research into CBD doesn’t prove anything yet, though, it can be insightful when exploring the benefits of CBD that drive consumer behavior.

Research into CBD

CBD has primarily been researched for its potential usefulness for neurological disorders and pain⁴. In the brain, CBD acts on the two primary neuroreceptors involved in pain⁵, and one of these receptors (5-HT1A) is also critically involved in depression and anxiety⁶.

The benefits of CBD have also been investigated as they pertain to sleep⁷. Of course, CBD remains in widespread use among individuals who rely on this cannabinoid for epilepsy.

The stories of American children with intractable, debilitating epilepsy experiencing relief after using CBD originally thrust this cannabinoid into the international spotlight. Nearly 10 years later, many US families continue to use CBD.

The FDA’s stance on CBD

In 2018, the new Farm Bill from Congress removed hemp-derived products including CBD from the DEA’s definition of marijuana thus giving regulatory oversight for this cannabinoid to the FDA. Despite initial expectations of fast movement, however, the FDA hasn’t done much to nudge the status quo of CBD forward.

Occasional warning letters continue to be sent out to CBD companies that blatantly disregard already-established rules. Otherwise, the FDA hasn’t said much about what CBD products are right now and what they will be in the future from a regulatory perspective.

What do surveys indicate?

In America, citizens aren’t waiting on official government notice to use and sell CBD products. Information from a recent survey commissioned by Quartz⁸ indicates that not only are Americans using CBD, but they’re also using it for a wide variety of different conditions and in perhaps unlikely settings.

Let’s unpack some of the key revelations this Harris poll of 2,000 participants delivered regarding the reasons people use CBD in the US:

1. Do Americans use CBD for relaxation?

According to the Quartz survey, 56% of women and 53% of men who had used CBD indicated they had used this cannabinoid to relax. At around 55% overall, it seems to be that the majority of CBD-consuming Americans consider this cannabinoid to be relaxing, and seeking relaxation is (by a slight margin) the most common reason people in the United States use CBD.

2. Do Americans use CBD for stress and anxiety?

The second most common reason Americans use CBD is to cope with stress and anxiety. As of 2019, 50% of overall individuals (47% of women, 53% of men) who had used CBD indicated they had tried this substance specifically for anxiety or stress relief. With use of CBD for stress rising dramatically during the pandemic⁹, it’s likely that the percentage of Americans who continue to use CBD for relief from stress or anxiety has stabilized somewhat higher than 50%.

3. Do Americans use CBD for sleep?

There’s a widespread belief that CBD helps you get to sleep at night. Research into the benefits of CBD for sleep remains relatively limited, but the anecdotal evidence on the subject is quite convincing. The 2019 Quartz survey found that 45% of Americans had used CBD for help with sleep, a figure borne out by a more recent 2021 academically conducted survey¹⁰ (albeit primarily of UK adults).

4. Do Americans use CBD for pain?

Using CBD for pain took a larger slice of the pie back when we knew less about this cannabinoid. Already by 2019, the Quartz survey reveals that only 39% of CBD users in the United States relied on this cannabinoid for pain. CBD definitely remains popular as a natural pain remedy, but its potential benefits for other purposes have gained traction as well.

5. Do Americans use CBD with friends?

The Quartz survey found that a remarkable disparity of 28% of men and only 15% of women had used CBD in a social setting, representing the widest gender gap in the survey’s results. American men, it seems, are far more predisposed than American women to try CBD at a friend’s house or during a backyard barbecue. This is definitely worth taking into consideration when developing CBD products targeted toward men.

What are some other reasons Americans use CBD?

According to the Quartz survey, around 21% of 2019’s American CBD users had tried this cannabinoid for migraines while 17% had used it for nausea. Intriguingly, around 13% of respondents reported trying CBD for “spiritual use” with this response coming considerably more commonly from men. For Americans, it seems taking CBD isn’t always just a practical concern.

What the data mean for American CBD brands

This can be a lot to take in for CBD brands seeking to make the right product for the moment and target it toward the most ideal subset of consumers. To fully wrap our heads around the situation, we’ll need to take a look at how Americans are starting to view cannabis in general and how CBD will likely fit into the nation’s future stance on the plant and its derivatives:

The evolving story of US cannabis

Enduring stagnation on the federal level, cannabis legislation continues to advance state-by-state. Recreational cannabis is now legal in 19 American states, and many more states have medical marijuana programs of varying scope.

Despite being a major platform of the Democrat Party entering the 2020 elections, Congress has not enacted any significant changes on this front. Attempts to push the issue along¹¹ have so far been met with a lack of widespread support and seeming acceptance of the obviously less-than-ideal status quo.

It’s a status quo that’s getting things done, though. You can’t argue with the success of a nearly $25 billion-per-year industry, and states that have legalized cannabis aren’t going back. Even without federal support, there is now widespread acceptance of cannabis in America that is bringing along with it awareness of and demand for CBD.

What’s happening with CBD right now?

In June of 2022, hopes briefly surged that the stagnant situation surrounding CBD might be alleviated when the FDA’s Science Board indicated that it would be discussing the challenges surrounding regulating cannabinoids¹² as “dietary supplement and food ingredients.”

The 2018 Farm Bill preserved the FDA’s authority over hemp products like CBD. However, citing the lack of definitive safety information and the existence of the CBD-based pharmaceutical drug Epidiolex¹³, the FDA has delayed making any decisions regarding the non-intoxicating cannabinoid’s regulatory status.

Due to long-standing precedent, the FDA has a hard time regulating substances that are also prescription drugs as over-the-counter supplements. While it continues to send warning letters to non-compliant CBD companies, the FDA has rejected multiple recent applications to market CBD as a dietary ingredient¹⁴.

Which conditions do Americans use CBD for the most?

Ongoing regulatory ambivalence doesn’t seem to be considerably affecting consumer sentiment toward CBD. As early as 2019, a Gallup survey found that 1 in 7 Americans commonly used CBD products, and the continued growth of the CBD industry¹⁵ indicates that an even greater share of US residents now use this non-intoxicating cannabinoid.

The top uses of CBD in the United States have remained largely the same since this hemp extract first rose to popularity. Over the years, however, a subtle trend has emerged involving the evolution of consumer perception of CBD from a strictly medical substance to a product with lifestyle benefits as well.

When CBD first became available online, it was almost universally used for pain. As of 2019, however, only 39% of American CBD users reported using this cannabinoid for pain while 55% reported using it for relaxation. With 50% of American hemp users relying on CBD for stress, it’s clear that awareness of CBD’s potential to improve your overall quality of life has spread considerably.

As such, brands should be cautious of marketing CBD as a substance solely designed to help with sleep, pain, or medical conditions. Many Americans now use CBD “just because,” rewarding a more generalized approach to conveying the benefits of CBD products.

Summary: Top uses of CBD in the USA

At this point, the American CBD industry might be more disrupted if the FDA were to actually take action on hemp than it is harmed by the current state of affairs. While the 2018 Farm Bill didn’t accomplish everything necessary to make CBD a legitimately mainstream product, time has shown that it legitimized the CBD industry enough to assuage consumer skepticism and allow hemp to firmly take root in the United States economy once more.

With the pressure to address an unregulated and rapidly growing market relieved, the US federal government doesn’t seem particularly incentivized to overcome the obstacles between CBD and official regulation as a dietary supplement. What’s important, though, is that the FDA also hasn’t made any moves to make CBD harder to get.

At this point, it’s practically an inevitability that massive federal cannabis reform will be enacted in the United States within our generation. The only remaining question is how and when this reform will occur, and American hemp brands can receive assurance from the fact that consumers have lost their ability to be spooked by cannabinoids as new, unknown substances.

CBD is a household name now, and it’s popularizing a whole host of other cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and CBC. The reasons people in the United States use cannabinoids might shift over time, but American consumers will continue to use CBD while also exploring new approaches toward experiencing hemp.

American CBD use habits FAQ

Learn more about how and why Americans use CBD below:

1. Who buys CBD products?

CBD shopper demographics have recently changed to embrace a much wider cohort of lifestyles and generations. Up until quite recently, CBD had primarily been used by the very ill or those who suffer from chronic pain on a daily basis. Over the last few years, though, social media and other sources of information have helped shoppers recognize that CBD is a low side effect substance that seems to help people relax.

2. How many CBD products are there?

It is very difficult to accurately estimate the total number of CBD products that are now available on the market. It used to be the case that CBD was only competently produced by a handful of brands, but nowadays, high-quality and effective CBD products are abundant and reasonably priced, causing the cannabinoid to take on ever greater popularity in the United States. The number of unique CBD products now available online and in retail stores surely numbers in the thousands and may even reach the tens or hundreds of thousands.

3. Is relaxation the most popular use of CBD?

Yes, relaxation is now unequivocally the most popular reason people use CBD. That’s not to say people have stopped using CBD for other purposes. It’s just that so many shoppers have started using CBD specifically for relaxation that the market has skewed in their direction. Given the fact that CBD appears to offer all the relaxing properties of marijuana with none of the intoxication, it’s unsurprising that this cannabinoid has accumulated such widespread appeal.

4. Is pain the most popular use of CBD?

No, pain is no longer the most popular use of CBD in terms of sheer numbers. It’s unlikely that the number of people who use CBD for pain has gone down, but such a vast number of people have recently started using CBD for other purposes that the relative portion of shoppers who use CBD for pain has shrunk. If further uses of CBD are uncovered in the future, it’s possible that both of these popular reasons to use cannabidiol will, in their turn, be displaced as well.

Sources

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2. 2. Gelsi, S. (2022, May 4). Legal cannabis sales exceed Starbucks N. America sales in 2021: Report. MarketWatch. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/legal-cannabis-sales-exceed-starbucks-n-america-sales-in-2021-report-2022-05-04
3. 3. FinancialNewsMedia.com. (2022, February 2). Consumer Interest Continues to Rise as CBD Sales Expected to Reach $16 Billion By 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-interest-continues-to-rise-as-cbd-sales-expected-to-reach-16-billion-by-2026-301473433.html
4. 4. Argueta, D. A., Ventura, C. M., Kiven, S., Sagi, V., & Gupta, K. (2020). A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00561
5. 5. Muller, C., Morales, P., & Reggio, P. H. (2019). Cannabinoid Ligands Targeting TRP Channels. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2018.00487
6. 6. Linge, R., Jiménez-Sánchez, L., Campa, L., Pilar-Cuéllar, F., Vidal, R., Pazos, A., Adell, A., & Díaz, L. (2016). Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: role of 5-HT1A receptors. Neuropharmacology, 103, 16–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.12.017
7. 7. Shannon, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 23. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/18-041
8. 8. Kopf, D., & Avins, J. (2020, February 23). Survey shows Americans use CBD to treat anxiety and stress. Quartz. https://qz.com/1590765/survey-shows-americans-use-cbd-to-treat-anxiety-and-stress/
9. 9. Khalsa, J. H., Bunt, G., Maggirwar, S. B., & Kottilil, S. (2020). COVID-19 and Cannabidiol (CBD). Journal of Addiction Medicine, 15(5), 355–356. https://doi.org/10.1097/adm.0000000000000771
10. 10. Moltke, J., & Hindocha, C. (2021). Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. Journal of Cannabis Research, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00061-5
11. 11. Sibbald, K. (2022, May 23). US House of Representatives Again Passes Marijuana Reform Bill. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/05/23/us-house-representatives-again-passes-marijuana-reform-bill
12. 12. Nichols, K. (2022, June 14). FDA takes another look at CBD, but insiders are skeptical much will change. MJBizDaily. https://mjbizdaily.com/fda-takes-another-look-at-cbd-but-insiders-are-skeptical-much-will-change/
13. 13. Drotleff, L. (2022, June 2). Federal cannabis legalization may affect FDA’s approach to CBD regulation, experts say. Hemp Industry Daily. https://hempindustrydaily.com/federal-cannabis-legalization-may-affect-fdas-approach-to-cbd-regulation-experts-say/
14. 14. Hemp Industry Daily. (2021, August 12). FDA rebuffs full-spectrum CBD as a dietary supplement. https://hempindustrydaily.com/fda-rebuffs-full-spectrum-cbd-as-a-dietary-supplement/
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